‘This project is great for our customers,’ says Mark Ruelle, CEO of Westar, which currently has about 700 MW of renewable energy in its generation portfolio. ‘For the first time, we've been able to add renewable energy at a cost comparable to our other energy resources. In addition, the project will bring about $90 million to the Kansas economy during construction and provide millions more in ongoing economic benefits."

The project is near one of Westar Energy's recently constructed high-voltage transmission lines, meaning that hooking it up will be less costly and less disruptive, according to the company. Construction on the wind farm is anticipated to begin in 2015, with the project expected to begin providing electricity in late 2016.